The Apprentice Candidate’s Final Interview

Galaxy 20,000 Years Later Series
Volume 1: The Dream of the Foundation

Part VII: Arcadia Darell
Episode 47
Date: Foundation Era Year 376
Place: A Room in the Second Foundation

Peallas Anthor stepped into the dimly lit room with a nervous expression. The walls were adorned with tapestries that seemed to echo millennia of history. At the center of the room sat Elder Navori, whose unadorned appearance was overshadowed by the sheer presence he exuded. He was none other than the First Speaker of the Second Foundation.

“Apprentice candidate Peallas Anthor, there is a reason I summoned you.”

Elder Navori spoke in a calm yet profound voice. Anthor straightened himself slightly at the weight of those words.

“It is time for you to graduate from being an apprentice. Before you are sent into the field, I will conduct your final oral examination. Though, to be honest, it will mostly be me talking.”

“That is perfectly fine. I can sense it clearly, Elder Navori—no, First Speaker.” Anthor adjusted his posture and answered firmly.

Elder Navori’s eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a faint sense of satisfaction. He began to weave his words further.

“First, let us talk about the event fifty years ago when the Second Foundation successfully lured the Mule. At that time, we barely managed to keep the existence of Trantor a secret. Our desperate strategy succeeded, but what do you think was the primary factor behind this success?”

Anthor answered without hesitation. “It was our ability to exploit the Mule’s arrogance. After he had conquered Terminus, he overconfidently focused solely on the Second Foundation, rushing too much. We turned his psychology against him.”

“Precisely.” Elder Navori nodded quietly. “Moreover, through Pritcher, we made him believe that Dazenda—the End of Stars—was the real Second Foundation. Before the Mule could conquer Dazenda, we manipulated its people to bring the Mule-less Kalgan system under our control. Thus, we left him with no place to return to.”

“By isolating the Mule from Kalgan and guiding him to Rossem,” Anthor continued, prompting a faint smile from the Elder.

“Exactly. All of it was to thoroughly break his confidence. And with his lifespan, his ambition to dominate the galaxy perished as well.”

Anthor took a deep breath, both impressed and contemplative over the brilliant strategy. Yet he awaited the next question. However, a faint shadow crossed Elder Navori’s face.

“However, this maneuver also brought about the next major problem. A situation even Seldon could not have foreseen.”

“A new Seldon Crisis…?” There was a trace of surprise in Anthor’s voice.

Elder Navori nodded slowly and leaned back in his chair. “As the First Foundation regained its strength, they began to view the Second Foundation unfavorably. They now harbor the notion that they alone should lead the next galactic empire. This growing suspicion must not stand, for the two Foundations must remain complementary to each other!”

The tension in those words struck Anthor to his core.

“That is where you come in.” Elder Navori’s gaze pierced into Anthor. “I want you to infiltrate Terminus and find the key to restoring harmony with the First Foundation.”

Anthor bowed deeply. “I will do everything in my power to meet your expectations.”

A silence fell over the room. Within that silence, Anthor realized the magnitude of his mission. He would be holding a piece of the galaxy’s destiny in his hands, fully aware of the immense difficulty and danger that lay ahead.

To be continued…